Russia warns Moldova over its pro-Europe push

September 03, 2013|Alexander Tanas | Reuters

CHISINAU (Reuters) - A Russian envoy has warned Moldova that its pro-Europe drive could cause it to lose for good its control over the breakaway territory of Transdniestria and lead to a more costly energy relationship with Russia, its main supplier of gas.

Dmitry Rogozin, a Russian deputy prime minister, stepped up pressure on Moldova, a former Soviet republic and one of Europe's poorest states, as Moscow also continued to bear down on Ukraine over its European integration plans.

Moldova, following the path of neighboring Ukraine, expects to initial association and free trade agreements with the European Union at a November summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, marking a clear break with its Soviet past.

In comments to journalists late on Monday after talks with Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, Rogozin likened Moldova to a locomotive on a perilous course of twists and turns that could cause it to lose some of its carriages - an allusion to its rebel enclave of Transdniestria.

In a barbed reminder to Moldova of its total reliance on gas imports from Russia, he also said: "Energy supplies are important in the run-up to winter. I hope you won't freeze."

The former Soviet republic of 3.5 million people is heavily in debt to Moscow for cheap gas imports that help keep its economy afloat.

The separatist, mainly Russian-speaking, region of Transdniestria broke with Moldova's central government after a short war in 1992 and sees Moscow as its patron. But its status remains undecided, despite years of international talks.

In further comments, Rogozin said Moldova's policy of European integration represented a threat for any lasting settlement on Transdniestria.

"People in Transdniestria are very alarmed at Moldova's plans, particularly those linked to entering a free trade zone with the EU," he said speaking at a pro-Russia forum in Chisinau.

Rogozin, a former Russian ambassador to NATO, warned the Moldovan leadership that Europe was "not a place for the weak".

"After my meetings, I have the impression that certain Chisinau officials assume that after signing agreements with the EU the whole of Moldova will be in jam or honey. But this signing will only mean for Moldova a carrot to entice it somewhere or other," he said.

Rogozin's strong words to Moldova came after similar Kremlin warnings to Ukraine which also wants to tie up association and free trade deals with the EU in Vilnius.

In a warning shot to Ukraine last month, Russia conducted extra customs checks on Ukrainian imports over several days and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of possible "protective" measures by Moscow and its customs union allies Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Ukraine says Russia will remain a strategic partner even after agreements with the EU. President Viktor Yanukovich told parliament on Tuesday to draw up draft legislation to prepare the country for the agreements to be signed and provide for "success" in Vilnius.